Adopters Take Home Packet

Transcription

1 Adopters Take Home Packet Thank you for adopting a pet from San Antonio R.O.C.K.S.! About San Antonio R.O.C.K.S. San Antonio ROCKS is run exclusively by a group of dedicated volunteers. We are a non-profit organization that operates solely on private donations to fund our rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Mission & Vision Founded in late 2012, SA ROCKS was formed to bring awareness and alternatives to kill-shelters by implementing community programs that educate the public about our homeless pet population. Our mission is to bring positive change to San Antonio's homeless pet population by not only providing a safe and loving home for these animals, but also by focusing on the education of the community, so that future generations will continue the fight for our homeless pets. Donations Donations can be made directly on our website at To send a donation by mail, please make your check out to San Antonio R.O.C.K.S. and mail to: Chase Bank C/O Banker Rick Salinas Jr. San Antonio R.O.C.K.S NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX Contact Adoptions adopt@sarocks.org San Antonio R.O.C.K.S. adopt@sarocks.org

2 Helpful TIPS for NEW Parents As a new SA ROCKS parent, we encourage you to crate your pet. The most common misconception about a dog crate is that it is a cruel form of caging a pet. This is completely false, and in fact, a dog will actually find a crate to be a secure and safe sanctuary. Why do Dog Owners Love Crates? Next to the training collar and leash, the dog crate is the proven training tool most recommended by professional dog trainers, groomers and veterinarians. Once accustomed to the dog crate, unfavorable behaviors such as house soiling, destructive chewing, digging, unnecessary barking, and howling can be avoided. Crate training is also an ideal system to help ease separation anxiety. Since the dog's habits will be much easier to regulate by using the dog crate, discipline for misbehavior will be less necessary which will allow a stronger dog and owner relationship. Crate-trained dogs travel easier in their "den" since they feel secure. And, compared to the cost of replacing furniture, plants, carpet, and other personal items that may be destroyed when a dog is allowed to roam a household unsupervised, the expense of a crate is very economical. How Can a Crate be Used to Avoid Accidents? Crate training is proven to be the fastest, most cost effective method of instilling "good dog" behavior. A dog's natural instinct is to keep the area in which she rests as clean as possible. Most dogs are very resistant to being near their own waste and therefore will make an extra effort to control their own elimination when confined to a crate. By the owner encouraging elimination in the proper place immediately after a dog is released from the crate, the pet quickly learns when and where to "take care of business." This is a proven method of house training recommended by nationally known trainers. How Can a Crate be Used to Solve Other Behavioral Problems? Most behavior problems such as destructive chewing are due to the boredom of an unsupervised dog. If allowed to continue the behavior, it quickly becomes a habit that is difficult to change. Dogs naturally want to please their owners and receive praise and love in return. If the dog knows exactly what is expected of her, she will gladly behave accordingly to benefit from it and be rewarded. By using a crate during the owner's short-term absences, the dog is simply not able to misbehave. Instead she will rest quietly in her crate. Dogs generally sleep 90% of the time the owners are away. It's the other 10% that so many things can go wrong. By crating the dog, you are essentially only asking for a small amount of change to the dog's natural schedule. How Can a Crate be Used to Ease Separation Anxiety? W. Nakoma San Antonio, TX adopt@sarocks.org

3 Separation anxiety is the number one behavioral problem today. It can be defined as increased fearfulness of the dog after the departure of the owner. This often misunderstood disorder causes loving pet owners to feel they have no other option than to find their dog another home. Dogs are pack animals and are not prepared to cope with isolation. They must be taught how to be alone and reassured that they will not be alone for long. Through positive crate training, the dog's personal den can provide an increased sense of security, which often helps ease stress and stress-related behaviors. Antidepressant medication may curve the behavior but it will not solve the problem. When Can You Start Using a Crate? Immediately! The sooner the better, no matter what age your dog may be. A dog at any age can be introduced to crate training. Older dogs can view the crate as punishment in the beginning and may need extra encouragement and slower graduated confinement times. Start your training when you are able to be home with your dog. Why a Wire Crate? A wire crate is recommended to allow your dog optimum visibility of her surroundings. Your dog will be most relaxed if she is sheltered but still able to view her surroundings without having to get up. She will rest longer and quieter. Wire crates are designed for proper ventilation. Illness can be caused during house breaking if puppies or dogs are forced to inhale urine odors. Wire crates are easy to move and store, and can be cleaned with soap and water. With proper care, a wire crate will last the life of the dog. What Size of Crate Does Your Dog Need? When selecting a crate for a dog, go ahead and get one that will fit the dog's need when she is fullygrown. The dog should be able to comfortably walk in, turn around and lay down in the crate. Your pet should not feel cramped, but do not use a crate that is too big, that will defeat the purpose of giving the dog the sense of having his own enclosed "den." An oversized crate will also defeat the dog's natural instinct to keep her home clean and free of waste since she may use one end to rest and one end to "go." Where Should the Crate be Located? The crate should be placed in an area that is easy to supervise. Since dogs are highly social animals the crate should be in an area of the household where the family spends most of their time. The crate should not be put in an isolated area. At night, the bedroom is an ideal place for a crate so that the dog can feel the security of being near her owner. Dog owners that are familiar with crate training and its benefits to both people and pets often have two or more crates set up in the house. (For example, one in the den and one in the bedroom.) Wherever the crate is placed, it is important that it not be in a draft or direct heat. Some dogs feel more secure when a towel or blanket is draped over the top and sides of the crate. It is especially important to keep the crate in the bedroom at night while puppies are being housetrained. For successful housetraining, you must be able to hear your puppy cry when she needs to be let outside to eliminate. It is also important to regulate a puppy's feeding schedule so that this can be taken into consideration as to when and how often she must be allowed to relieve herself. The last meal of the day should come at least two hours before bedtime. It is important to establish a timely routine so that the dog's body functions can adjust to when she will be released from the crate. As a dog gets older the amount of time she can stay in the crate can be extended but should never exceed more than six to eight hours W. Nakoma San Antonio, TX adopt@sarocks.org

4 Quick Reference Guide to Crate Training Start your training when you are able to be home with your dog. Always take care to remove collar and tags prior to your dog entering their crate. 1. Allow your dog to explore the crate on her own. You can toss some treats or toys inside and show interest in the crate to encourage her curiosity. Leave the door OPEN during the introduction period. NEVER use force to put your dog into her crate and ALWAYS praise her anytime she enters on her own. 2. Once your dog enters and exits her crate willingly, CLOSE THE DOOR for a few seconds or a minute. Remain close to the crate praising her while she is inside. Then, let her out in a calm quiet manner do not make a big deal out of it. IMPORTANT: Do NOT release her if she is barking or crying. WAIT until she is SETTLED to release her. 3. Gradually extend the amount of time your dog spends in the crate. For the first few absences should be less than 30 minutes. Keep your departures and arrivals LOW KEY. 4. Continue to crate your dog for a few minutes each day when you are home so that crating does NOT always predict that you are leaving. Encouraging your dog to eliminate in the proper place immediately after she is released from her crate will quickly teach her when and where to take care of her business. 5. Within a few attempts over two to three, most dogs will enter the crate willingly and quietly settle down for a nap. A crate should NEVER be overused or used as a form of punishment. A crate will be the most useful to you and your dog if it is regarded as a special retreat area and not as a punishment W. Nakoma San Antonio, TX adopt@sarocks.org

5 What to Do and NOT Do During the 1 to 3-Month Adjustment Period 1. Do not leave your new dog alone or under the supervision of any kids. Many dogs will express some sort of stress when experiencing a new environment and need a short time to adjust to it s new surroundings. 2. Introduce the dog to the crate and use the crate! You need to use a crate whenever the dog cannot be supervised. If you don t use a crate, you could come home to destruction and house soiling. If that happens, it is NOT the dog s fault. It is your fault for not crating the dog. The crate will also help you to housebreak your new dog. Plus your dog will need a place of his own where he/she can sleep, be safe and relax. 3. For the first 30 days, do not expose your new dog to any stressful events such as parties, large family gatherings, left alone for long periods of time, or trips to other family and friends. The more calm and relaxed the dog s new environment can be, the quicker he will acclimate to it without problems arising. 4. For the first two weeks, observe the dog very closely and TAKE NOTES of unfavorable behaviors and address them early. Consult our behavior specialist for any tips and training techniques. 5. Do not coddle and baby your dog when showing inappropriate behavior. Coddling or petting a scared or growling dog actually praises the behavior the dog is showing at that moment - fear and/or growling and aggression. In other words, you are making the situation worse. 6. Do NOT let the dog up on your bed and the furniture. Some dogs perceive this as meaning they are at a higher status than you are. Some dogs will begin to challenge you for the bed and furniture. So in the beginning of your new relationship, keep the dog off all furniture to avoid problems. San Antonio R.O.C.K.S. 435 W. Na ko ma adopt@sarocks.org

6 Housetraining Tips Never let an un-housetrained dog out of your sight while the dog is inside! Every time a dog relieves himself inside, it teaches him it s OK. An un-housetrained dog should be either: (1) Inside, with you watching him (2) Outside (3) In a crate If you follow these rules, your dog should be trained in a week or two. The best method is the crate training method. Young puppies need to go 30 minutes after eating or drinking. Older dogs need to go out four or more times daily. 1. Take the dog to the SAME spot outdoors. The smell will remind him why he's there. 2. When puppy relieves himself outside, PRAISE him, "Good Dog!! and give him a treat. 3. Praise is the key to housetraining! Your dog will learn that going outside means treats, and will be eager to go out. 4. If you're inside and notice your dog starting to sniff and circle, grab him and take him out. If you catch him in mid-stream, startle pup with a noise and take him out. 5. What if you notice a mess on the floor but didn t see your dog do it? Clean up the mess without fussing at your dog. Dogs live in the moment and won t understand that you are punishing him for something he did in the past. Rubbing your dogs nose in the mess or hitting him with a newspaper won t work at this point. 6. Use a cleaner that will kill smells and bacteria, such as Simple Green (grocery stores), Nature s Miracle (pet stores), or vinegar and water. If you don t clean the spot very well, the smell might make him go there again. 7. At bedtime, take your dog outside and then lock him in his crate for the night. He'll make an effort not to foul his bed. Then take him outside first thing in the morning. Some young puppies may not have the muscle control to hold it all night and will have to go out during the night. 8. Don t feed your dog after about 6:00 p.m. This will help your dog make it through the night. 9. Dogs can be left in a crate 4-6 hours. Dogs should not be left in a crate more than 8 hours. If you can t come home during the day, consider leaving the dog outside.

7 Obedience Training SA ROCKS highly recommends your new pet goes through an obedience training class. Behavior issues are one of the biggest causes of owner surrenders to shelters. Many problems can be fixed with simple training techniques. SA ROCKS has a behavior specialist that can help ensure your household is a happy one. Common Behavioral Issues Include: Separation Anxiety Excessive Barking Chewing Digging Inappropriate Elimination Begging Chasing Jumping Biting/Nipping These are problems most commonly seen in dogs and most can be corrected with a little training. If you would like us to recommend a specialist to help you with obedience training, please us at adopt@sarocks.org. Returns Adoption Fees are considered a donation to the organization and are non-refundable. SA ROCKS is a nonprofit, all volunteer run organization and your donation has gone directly to the animals already in our care. If you choose to return your pet, we do ask for a 5 day notice, unless under circumstances where there is cause to believe someone is in immediate danger due to your adopted pet. San Antonio R.O.C.K.S. 435 W. Nakoma adopt@sarocks.org

8 New Dog Meets Old Dog The meeting between dogs may have gone wonderfully on the neutral turf of the shelter. On home turf, the reaction from either or both dogs may be different. This difference is because you are now bringing another dog into your current dog s home turf. 1. Meeting outside (preferably in a fenced yard) can be less threatening for canine introductions. Set it up so this can be done. 2. Both dogs must be on leash and wearing secure buckle collars, training collars or Gentle Leaders for better control during the introductions. 3. Introduce each dog one at a time. Do not force a confrontation! Give them time to approach each other on their own terms. 4. If there is any sign of hostility, remind the hostile dog in a firm tone Be Nice. Keep the pressure OFF the leash. You must be matter of fact - not worried. YOU are in control and must be aware of their body language. Don t be concerned if they don t warm up to each other immediately. Give encouragement for good behavior. As hard as it may be, try not to be nervous yourself, or you will telegraph it to the dogs. Your dog may feel you are in need of being defended from the new dog or even visa versa. If they engage in a fight, do not try to pull them apart with the leashes if the leashes have become entangled. Often times, the leashes become wrapped and all you end up doing is forcing them closer together. If that happens, drop one or both of the leashes so the dogs can move away from each other. Then grab the leashes again. The importance of doing introductions in a fenced area becomes obvious. If you have to drop the leashes, neither dog can escape the yard. 5. As each dog becomes comfortable with the other, you can drop the leashes (if in a fenced environment). Keep the leashes on so you can more easily grab one quickly if needed. 6. As the dogs come inside, you may find this tighter, more personal space will cause a squabble or two, so you may still want to leave the leashes on for quick control. 7. Do not feed the dogs right next to each other. Some dogs are very protective of their food. One of the dogs may feel a need to protect his food and a fight can ensue. Feed them apart so neither feels a need to guard the food bowl. San Antonio R.O.C.K.S. 435 W. Nakoma adopt@sarocks.org